Banepa (Nepal Bhasa: भोंत) is a valley situated at about 4800ft above sea level in central Nepal which is said to be the smallest municipality of the country. Banepa, the historical town, is about 25km east from Kathmandu. At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, it has a population of 24,764. The main attraction of Banepa is the temple of
Chandeshwori, located approximately 1km northeast of the town along the Rudramati River. The Dhaneshwor Temple is 1km south of the town. Banepa is also well known for its eight different temples of Lord Ganesh, Narayanthan, the temple of Lord Narayan, Bhimshenthan, the temple of Lord Bhimshen and eight different ponds.

History

Chandeshwari Temple of Banepa

"After having had the favours and directions of goddess Chandeshwori, King Anandadeva Malla founded seven cities, viz,

King Anandedeva Malla united the scattered villages and made modern Banepa surrounded by eight gates with a Ganesh (the elephant - headed god of good omen) at each of the gates in eight different directions in Kaligat Year 4197 (around 1153 B.S.). He also built a temple of Chandeshwori and arranged a trust fund for the goddess. It is also believe that when entire Kathmandu Valley was covered with lake, there was a small kindgdom in Banepa.

Some of the ancient names of Banepa were Banepur, Baniyapur, Banipur . As it had trade relationship with Tibet from ancient period, Banepa is also known as "Bhont", "Bhonta", "Bhon dey(भों देय्)". Banepa is the combination of two words i.e. "Bane" means 'Business' and "Pa" means 'Place'. Therefore, "Banepa" means 'Place of Business'.[1]

Old town

Pond of Waku Ganesh Temple

The old Newari town is located at the central part of the City. It is surrounded by 8 ganesh temples with 8 adjacent ponds and Phalchaa(फल्चा).
The name of the Ganesh are:

Tukampwo (तुकम्प्वो) Ganeshat South

Temple of Tukampwo Ganesh was established first of all other Ganesh Temple by King Anandadeva Malla after forming new Kingdom of Banepa. It is also the major temple of Banepa.

Kobha (कोभः) Ganesh at Southeast

Waku (वकु) Ganesh at East

Thachhu (थाछु) Ganesh at North

Kanthu (कांथु) Ganesh at Northeast

Kwonla (क्वोंला) Ganesh at Southwest

Talapukhu (तलाःपुखु) Ganesh at West

Jyasanani (ज्यासःननी) Ganesh at Northwest

These Ganesh temples are said to be the boundaries of old Banepa. Many Temple is Ganesh Temple but main temple of Banepa city is Chandeswori. Dhaneshwor temple is famous for the followers of Lord Shiva (Mahadev).
Along with this, King Ananda Dev Malla also built wells and taps for providing the Banepalis with the good source of water.[2]

Present Situation

Punyamata River, which was the major source of drinking water, irrigation and many other activities, is being polluted day by day. The bank of Punyamata River has been a place for throwing solid wastages.The sewage which has been connected directly to the river without any treatment and in unmanaged way has adversely affected the river water. Waste materials produced from Bagmati Trekking Pvt. Ltd. have made the river water turned into black as well as the surrounding is also being polluted.

Although Banepa is a small place of an area of 5.56 sq. km., it has got the population density of 4454 per sq. km. Due to the connection of Banepa with other places through roadways, about 300 buses, minibuses, cars, trucks, motorcycles altogether are helping in the transportation in a day. Along with this, the gases emitted from those vehicles have polluted the environment of Banepa.

In the boundary of three municipalities of Kavrepalanchowk District, namely; Banepa, Dhulikhel and Panauti, the country's only IT Park is being contructed. All the three cities have been declared as the 'Cyber City'.

Transportation

Araniko Highway

Banepa is also a major trade route to Tibet, with the Arniko Rajmarg, the only highway that connects Nepal and China (Tibet), running through this town. Furthermore, another newly constructed highway, the B.P. Koirala Highway (named after great leader of Nepal Bishweswor Prasad Koirala), also passes through this town. Though it is a small town, Banepa is the major economic center east of Kathmandu.